Feltmaking is the magical transformation of a loose pile of wool fi bers into a durable, alluring nonwoven fabric. An ancient process that continues to work its wonder on modern artisans and crafters, feltmaking produces a flannel-like fabric with a tactile appeal like nothing else.
How is this fabric alchemy accomplished? The feltmaker adds a little soap and water to the wool, presses the fibers until they tangle together and hold the shape of cloth, and then vigorously works, or fulls, the cloth until it shrinks and strengthens to the desired shape.
In Uniquely Felt, Christine White, a professional teacher and feltmaker, gathers her considerable knowledge of the craft to write the comprehensive guide to all things felt. She describes the equipment, explores concepts and theories of felting, and thoroughly covers all felting techniques, including traditional, needle, three-dimensional seamless, nuno, cobweb, carved, and Beede ball.
And then there are the projects — handsome, indestructible bags; nuno shawls that marry soft wool fibers and wispy silks; bright picnic blankets and plush bath mats; lacy curtains made with impossibly sheer cobweb felt. Every project is striking in its fabulous depth of color and purity of form. There are no stitches, no seams, and no signs of woven cloth — just a wonderful, flowing piece of textile art.
The basic steps of feltmaking are simple enough to learn in an afternoon, but the infinite possibilities in every new pile of fiber keep enthusiasts fascinated for a lifetime. The process always begins the same way, but the fibers make the felting journey unique every time. This book is the ultimate guide to that magical adventure.
“If any book deserves to be called “The Felt Maker’s Bible,†this is it. White, founder of Magpie Designs Felting Studio (www.magpiefelt.com), pours a rich draught of felt-making information into this manual, covering basic felt-making techniques as well as needle, nuno, cobweb, 3-D, and carved techniques and featuring 46 projects. But what makes this a title of lasting value for libraries is the depth of solid information it offers on the craft and its history, on various artists, and on related topics like setting up a felt-making studio, teaching felt making, and leading community felt-making projects. Highly recommended for large public and academic librariesâ€. – Library Journal, April 15, 2008 (starred)
Christine White is the owner and director of Magpie Designs Felting Studio (www.magpiefelt.com) and founder of the Northeast Feltmakers Guild. She lectures and writes about wool and felt, serves as a guest curator for felt shows, and enjoys teaching feltmaking techniques and developing both functional and artistic felt. Christine lives in western Massachusetts.
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC
Distributor: Workman Publishing Company
Publication Date: 11-14-2007
Pages: 311
Measurements: 10.0in X 8.24in X 0.81in X 2.19lb
